Historic Hood River
Snow Survey Team, Circa 1950
1-26-2012
Notes
This group of Crag Rats is measuring snow depth and water content circa 1950. They are identified (with a few question marks) as Rob Hukari, Wilson Applegren, Elwood Samuels, Norm Hukari, and Jim Hukari. The photo is credited to Bill Bryan.
Knowing how much water is stored in the snowpack is important to valley fruit growers who depend on runoff for irrigation, as well as hydroelectric dam operators. These measurements are still conducted today, though I understand they are a bit more automated.
Charlott
Bill Bryan was very involved in the Crag Rats. He was a photographer by profession, at one time having a studio in downtown Hood River, so he took many, many photos in connections with the Crag Rats.
Okay, Bill, jump in here. I have a strong feeling that this snow survey was taken at Red Hill, If I recall that was the, or one of the prime areas in the upper Hood River Valley that they did that type of work each winter.
You can see that Rob and Wilson have the pipe tubing of which they took the snow core sample. "Tweet" is doing the log work and ofcourse any job needs supervisors……
For those of you who ski now and were unfamiliar with skiing in the 1950’s note the low top ski boots. Granted not as much protection, but much easier to get into and actually attempt to walk.
Paul Kollas
If the negative for this print is a 4×5, then it’s likely that i have the camera that Bill used for this shot. I bought it from him in ’53.
Connie
Power line and poles in the background?
Arthur
Some of the other images in this group mention "Red Hill" but it was unclear from the notes whether that is where the snow measurement took place.
Unfortunately we don’t have the negatives so I can’t verify the film format.
Charlott
Yes, power lines as there was a fire look I think at Red Hill. Red Hill isn’t that far from Parkdale really. I know it was Red Hill that my Dad used to go sometimes for the snow measurements, as he was a Crag Rat.
Casey
When I first looked at this picture I thought the two men to the left were doing some kind of crazy dance.
Ranger
The wire was a phone line from the lookout on Re Hill to the main office in Parkdale.
Dan
The negative is a 4×5 from an old Speed Graphic
Trust me 🙂
Paul Kollas
An Anniversary model Speed Graphic
🙂
Bill P.
From left to right. Bill Bryan, Wison Appelgren, Elwood "Tweet" Samuel, Norman Hukari and Jim Hukari. I agree with above comments. My only question is, if Bryan is the photographer who took the photo?
Bill P.
1966pj
I don’t remember Rob Hukari but the guy on the left looks a lot like Bill Bryan from that angle. Also, I have been looking for a copy of the Pepsi, Coca Cola, or RC advertisement featuring Bill and another climber on the Palmer snowfield on the south side of Mt Hood. Thanks